The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

I was shocked to see yet another statement emanating from our Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration that seemed to be way off base, perhaps even delusional.

This time it was in reference to the so-called ‘brain drain’ effecting our Bahamian communities and it was uttered in the House of Parliament while debating the University of Bahamas Bill this past week.

Mr Mitchell indicated that the ‘brain drain’ that we have been witnessing (for decades I would say) was “not a major problem for The Bahamas”. According to the news report in The Tribune, this MP continued to say that “a good living is had by many people in this country”.

Does Mr Mitchell not read the media reports (especially relating to murder, rape, etc)? Does he see the statistics coming from the Ministry of Education, the census reports on unemployment, the crime and poverty our people sadly endure, the current state of NIB (while people are unable to pay their rent and feed their families due to the delays and backlog of payments), the recent decision by our populace to deny women equal rights under the law here?

I could go on, but suffice it to say, the quality of life is not ‘good’ here for many of us and in no way does it inspire our young college graduates that are educated abroad to return home and ‘give back’; to start a career, raise a family, purchase a home here, etc.

What proverbial rock has this Harvard educated MP been living under? Unemployment of our young people remains about 30 per cent. Jobs are difficult to come by and often offer no prospect of advancement. Pay scale is low, especially when compared to our counterparts living and working abroad, yet the cost of living is considered high. The average high school graduate here has barely a D grade in Maths and English. This no doubt, contributes to the “unemployable” youth here with few skills and little to offer a corporate employer. The crime rate is escalating (despite what Mr Mitchell’s colleague, the Minister for National Security may say). Last year’s murder count was said to be 146, a record high. Let’s not even consider the armed robberies and other criminal assaults on our friends and neighbours.

“Brain drain”, where Bahamian students attend colleges and universities abroad, then choose not to return to their homeland, is indeed a very real problem. Especially when considering what it is they are coming home to. I have three children, all of whom attended colleges in the USA. My younger two have opted to stay abroad, as have most of their friends. My older son is in the process of leaving Nassau for a safer and more fulfilling life in one of the Family Islands.

This is not a problem that can be easily fixed. And I don’t purport to have the solution. Nor it is an issue that originates from one or the other of our more prominent political parties. Clearly, if any solution is possible it must involve a concerted and unified effort from all of us. Do not increase the divide, but rather work together for the good of all of us; be a part of the solution.

Help the youth to get trained and become ‘employable’. Provide outlets where the disenfranchised can turn to for relief and improve their livelihoods. Make The Bahamas attractive for our young, college graduates to stay in or to return home to! It is one of the prettiest countries in the region, full of untapped potential. Potential that will only be realised given the proper support, guidance and governance. Let’s get our young people helping to move the nation forward, onward, upward, together!

Mr Mitchell, please wake up and smell the coffee. We do have a problem.

BARBARA THOMPSON

Nassau,

July 15, 2016.